Date: Apr 13, 2010

Hofstra's Astman Concert Series Lets Music Lovers Ring in Spring with Tributes To Songs from Broadway and the Movies, The Rat Pack and More

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University’s Joseph G. Astman Concert Series is ringing in spring with tributes to singers and songs from the stage and screen. All performances take place at Monroe Lecture Center Theater on Hofstra University’s South Campus. Tickets are $19, $17 senior citizen (over 65) or matriculated non-Hofstra student, $10 children under 12. For tickets and information, please contact the John Cranford Adams Playhouse Box Office at (516) 463-6644.

The next program in the spring 2010 schedule continues is:

April 23 at 8 p.m.: “From the Great White Way to the Silver Screen: Songs From Broadway and the Movies” starring vocalists Andrew Heller and Laura Wolfe.

Andrew Heller’s program, “Mostly Broadway, ” features a repertoire of exciting and romantic show tunes, many of which have appeared on his “Broadway Love” and “My Beloved” CDs. Great American Songbook and Broadway favorites by Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe, Rodgers and Hart, and many other great composers and lyricists will be featured. Andrew will also sing some selections from his current recording, “I Believe in Angels,” featuring his HMG/Power Source #2 single “The Great I Am,” as well as the classic inspirational song, “I Believe.”  Andrew’s recordings, concerts and musical arrangements are known for a rich sound that mixes classic and contemporary ideas. He is a favorite guest of radio DJs nationwide, and his recent concert appearances include “Songs of the Spring” at the San Fernando Cathedral in San Antonio, The Trinity Alps Performing Arts Center in California, the 39th Annual International Festival-Institute at Round Top, SXSW Music and Media Festival, Trinity Music Center in Nashville, The Four Seasons Austin, and appearances with The Austin Symphony Orchestra.

Laura Wolfe’s program will feature music from her most recent CD "...also dances" (A Tribute to the Great Dancers of Film), as Laura recalls some of the more famous performances of her idols such as Fred Astaire, Ann Miller and Sammy Davis Jr. She will deliver melodic jazz interpretations of music and lyrics by Cole Porter, The Gershwins, Johnny Mercer, Irving Berlin, Burton Lane, Richard Whiting and Jerome Kern, with some other surprises. Along with the music, Laura keeps the audience completely engaged with humorous personal anecdotes and interesting historical information about the films in which the dancers starred. Laura is the daughter of a Hollywood singer/dancer, and she has been teaching dance herself since the age of 15. She has appeared in many theatrical productions in Los Angeles, including most recently in the Los Angeles premiere of Cole Porter's Red, Hot, and Blue at the Whitefire Theatre. She has become very popular on the L.A. jazz scene, and appears in clubs, concerts, theatrical productions and private event.

Andrew Heller and Laura Wolfe will both be accompanied by pianist Jon Weber.

Save the Date:

May 1 at 8 p.m.: “Spring Time, Swing Time, String Time,” featuring Karen Olson, viola/violin, accompanied by a musical sextet, along with special guest vocalists and performers. Digging in to the Great American Songbook for her repertoire, violist Karen Olson leads a jazz octet, along with singing and dancing, in a program that merges Karen’s strings with an appropriate May theme: springtime! Karen shares her many unique experiences as a musician through the timeless tunes she has played in her career as a member of the illustrious New York Pops, a recording session musician, and accompanist to the world’s greatest entertainers. Karen weaves a spell, playing songs from her unforgettable days with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis in the Rat Pack Band and telling the tales of a working recording and concert musician musician. “Mr. Bojangles” makes an appearance (and so does Hofstra’s own Bob Spiotto with his tap shoes on), as well as “I’ve Got The World On A String,”  “Singing in the Rain,” and “Zing Went The Strings of My Heart,” in an upbeat romp through classic popular song featuring Karen Olson’s soaring viola and a band of jazz stars.

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